IBM is reportedly wading through Sun Microsystems' contracts and documents for potential conflicts or problems, as it works its way through the due diligence process toward a merger, according to a report Friday in The Wall Street Journal.

IBM's attorneys have been poring over Sun's documents for at least the past several days, if not longer, according to the Journal.

And while the due diligence process is not anticipated to lead to any nixing of a deal, IBM is seeking a clear understanding of where Sun stands with its complex cross-licensing agreements and other contracts, according to sources cited by the Journal.

In addition to Sun's contracts, IBM may also be taking a peek at Sun's fiscal third-quarter data, given the company will be closing its quarterly financial books at the end of the month.